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Creating a list of the 25 greatest athletes from 2000 to the present is a formidable task. Given the sheer number of sports, dividing many into separate categories between men and women, and considering a global talent pool is not a layup.
To extrapolate how we arrived at this list, we employed a comprehensive and multi-faceted methodology that prioritizes quantitative analytics, qualitative assessment of achievements, and determining the overall impact. We analyzed metrics including championship victories, individual awards, records set or broken, and longevity in the sport. Additionally, we considered the athletes’ influence on their respective sports, their ability to excel on the international stage, and their impact outside of competition, including endorsements, philanthropy, and contribution to the sport’s growth.
This approach ensures a balanced and diverse selection. We aimed to touch on as many sports as possible to represent a range of sports, not comparing across the gender divide; rather, looking at both men and women in the same sport as separate sports unto their own. This was intended to maintain parity and impact on the athletes’ competition by acknowledging the multifaceted nature of athletic greatness.
To be clear, we are well aware that the 21st century technically started in 2001; therefore, to be accurate, this is a listicle of the 25 greatest athletes of the past 25 years, from 2000 to the present.
This list is inherently subjective and influenced by the following criteria: individual accomplishments, dominance in sport and position, giving quite a bit of weight to being a champion, direct influence and impact on their respective sports and teams, longevity, and the significance that they had beyond sport.
We found it became too contentious and time-consuming to rank them in order, and decided to create five groups of five. So, without further adieu, in no…
